Strikeforce
Tim Sylvia says he'd defeat Daniel Cormier, which is why Zuffa chose Frank Mir instead
Aug 23, 2012 - 11:15:22 AM Tim Sylvia says he'd defeat Daniel Cormier, which is why Zuffa chose Frank Mir instead

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia appeared close to securing a return to Zuffa this summer, as reports emerged that he'd get a fight against Daniel Cormier in Strikeforce this fall. However, UFC President Dana White quickly put the kibosh on that idea, and Frank Mir was pulled over instead for that fight.

This week, in an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Sylvia expressed his belief over why it's Mir, and not him, taking on Cormier this fall.

"I think the UFC might have got ahead of themselves and they really couldn't find anybody to fight Cormier, so, they had asked us and we agreed to it and I think after we agreed to it, they were able to talk Frank into doing it and they probably thought Frank was a better fit for it than myself," Sylvia said (transcribed by MMAMania.com). "I think they'd like to see Daniel win and I think he beats Frank, but he would lose to me. I don't know that he [Frank] is an easier fight than [me] but, he is still in the limelight, he is still in the UFC."

"Frank is definitely better on the ground than I am, but I think my takedown defense and my striking ability would make a tougher fight for DC definitely. But, he is definitely a rising star right now and he would be difficult for anybody really."

Penick's Analysis: I highly doubt any UFC brass believes Sylvia is a harder fight for Cormier than Mir, and that had nothing to do with Sylvia not getting this fight. It's everything to do with Dana White continuing to not wanting to be involved in the Tim Sylvia business. Sylvia is a bit delusional about his status in the sport at this point, and the idea that he's a more difficult fight for Cormier than Mir is laughable. Cormier's one of the top fighters in the division at this point, and would be favored against each of them, but Mir will garner a higher consideration in any fight than Sylvia in 2012.